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The Graphic Design of the Eames Office

The furniture design of Charles and Ray Eames needs little introduction. But from its studio in California the Eames Office also produced graphics, film, photography and exhibition design. This lesser known side of the Eames oeuvre forms the basis of a new show which opens in London next month...

Eames Lounge and Ottoman poster, 1956

Addressing the Need: The Graphic Design of the Eames Office opens at the PM Gallery & House at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing, west London on September 14.

Among the exhibits will be a selection of invites, brochures, posters, packaging designs, print and press advertisements, alongside several examples of Eames-designed toys.

Detail from double sheet of all Computer House of Cards faces, 1970

The complete Computer House of Cards double sheet, 1970

Examples of the duo's film work will also be on display, notably Powers of Ten which explored the relative size of various elements that make up the universe. Designs for the Eames' first interactive exhibition, Mathematica (1961), will also be shown.

Powers of Ten brochure cover, 1977

Powers of Ten brochure, page one, 1977

Powers of Ten brochure, page four, 1977

Exhibition Director of the Eames Office, Carla Hartman, says that the Ealing show will provide an "opportunity to showcase another, perhaps less familiar, side of the Eameses. Their graphic design work lured, informed, delighted, inspired, humoured, and, ultimately, addressed the need."

Installation shot of the timeline from Mathematica: A World of Numbers... and Beyond, Los Angeles, 1961

Close-up of timeline from Mathematica, 1961

Addressing the Need open on September 14 and runs until November 3 at the PM Gallery at Pitzhanger Manor, Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing, London W5 5EQ. Entry is free.

A special Eames film screening event will take place on October 25. More information at the PM Gallery site at ealing.gov.uk.

Ray and Charles Eames with model of the exhibition, Mathematica: A World of Numbers... and Beyond, 1961

7 Comments

Back then design especially graphic design was still quite young... And that shows in his work. Still fresh today in some respects.Sam Mearns2012-08-23 12:40:44

I can see where some of my designs could have be influenced from...Mark Campbell2012-08-23 15:36:22

I just watched the Eames documentary 'the architect and the painter' and learnt so much about them and just how influential they were. I've always loved their furniture and the documentary inspired our company blog post http://bit.ly/charles-ray-eamesDanielle Kidney2012-08-23 21:57:15

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